OTTAWA - Canadian Blood Services says it's not yet softening its ban on blood from gay men, despite media reports to the contrary.

But a group representing gay and lesbian Canadians said they want to see the change now.

CBS handles the country's blood donations and has refused to take blood from men who have had sex with other men since 1977, arguing they're at higher risk of HIV infection.

Critics say the ban is homophobic, since it's risky sexual behaviour that puts people in danger of HIV infection, not simply having sex with another man.

But a spokeswoman for CBS says things have changed and they're now looking at what other countries are doing. Some countries now allow men to donate blood one year after they've had sex with another man.

"Research is going to take time. The environment has changed in terms of what some of the international blood operators are doing, so let's look at the feasibility of a shorter deferral period," said Lorna Tessier.

Now that other countries are working with shorter bans, there are statistics to examine, she added.

CBS has set aside cash for research into the issue, but no one has applied for the funding.

A spokeswoman for EGALE, a gay rights group, said there's no scientific basis for a lifetime ban.

"The question should be based on behaviour, not on whether you belong to a particular social group," Helen Kennedy said.